Discover the story behind the people who sparked a movement to protect Taranaki’s coast. This article shares reflections from founding members of the Nga Motu Marine Society — from the early conversations and community meetings of the late 1990s to the lasting impact of marine education, conservation, and teamwork today.

Read about an Ōakurua family’s deep-dive into all things Kororā, citizen science, and how their committment to monitoring this taonga species has revealed increasing numbers and evidence of the threats these creatures face.

Students Stella Delmar and Paige Kershaw joined 30 students from across Aotearoa aboard the annual Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) trip, run by the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust.

EMR (Experiencing Marine Reserves) has wrapped up another successful 2025/26 snorkelling season, working with around 260 school students and 205 community participants across Ngāmotu Beach and local pools.

The Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society was formed in 1997 to promote the idea of a network of small reserves on the Taranaki coast. This is the story of those who started the society.

New Plymouth locals Eve Cross and Matilda Randall attended a coveted trip to one of New Zealand’s most stunning marine reserves: the Poor Knights Islands.